Smart Box General FAQ
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Q:
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How does the Smart Box work?
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The Smart Box design transfer system gives you the ability to convert your favorite embroidery design to the PES format embroidery machines. You will be able to download embroidery designs in other file formats from the internet to a floppy disk or CD-Rom and write them to the blank card (1 is included with the Smart Box), then use it in your embroidery machine. The SmartBox does NOT convert clipart such as JPEG, TIF, BMP, etc. |
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Can I use the blank card included with my Smart Box more than once?
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Yes. The blank card is a rewritable card that can be used over and over. If you wish to keep your designs on that card but want to write more designs, you can purchase additional blank cards to save other designs. |
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What embroidery design formats will my Smart Box convert?
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There are many different embroidery file formats that the Smart Box will open. Those formats include GNC, PES, PCS, PSW, HUS, CSD, SEW, EXP, and DST. |
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With which embroidery machines can I use the Smart Box and rewriteable card?
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The Smart Box works with all home embroidery machine models of Simplicity, Baby Lock, Brother and the Bernina Deco and White 3300 embroidery machines. |
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Can I use the Smart Box to sew out a graphic such as a JPEG, TIF, etc.?
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No. Your design file must have "stitch data" to be able to write it to a card for sewing out on your machine. Digitizing software is necessary to give your graphic file (jpg or tif) stitch data. |
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Does the Smart Box come with an instruction manual?
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Yes. An easy to follow instruction manual is included with the Smart Box, and the SmartBox also includes an installation CD disk and the USB cable, along with a blank rewritable memory card. You can also download the newest manual from our website. |
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Does the Smart Box work with all computers?
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The Smart Box minimum system requirements are:
- USB Port
- Windows 98 or higher (includes XP, 2000 and ME)
- Pentium II Processor or higher
- CD-ROM drive
- 16MB memory
- 5MB hard drive space
- 800x600 video display or better
Unfortunately at this time, the Smart Box is not compatible with Apple Macintosh computers. |
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How can I tell if my design is to big for my embroidery machine before I write it to the blank card?
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You can use the Color Edit program to check the size of your design. When you open Color Edit and choose Options, make sure it is set for YOUR sewing field. (This information should be in your embroidery machine instruction book) The size of your HOOP doesn't matter. The SEWING FIELD of your machine is what you need to set it for. For example: If you have a Simplicity SE3, you would choose Baby Lock 100x100 for your hoop option. (sizes are in metric). How to get to the Color Edit program is below. |
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Q:
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I have the Smart Box but don't understand how to get designs to it.
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You must first have designs on a floppy, CD or your harddrive to put on the Smart Box rewritable card. Where you choose to get designs is up to each individual. You can purchase designs disks or CDs from local dealers or download from the internet. If you are not sure where to find them, you can go to your internet browser and type in the search area "embroidery designs" or "embroidery dealers" and other terms relating to embroidery to find designs on the internet or in your local area. Once you have the designs, then you would follow the directions in the Smart Box instruction book, starting with page 13. |
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I downloaded some files from the Internet but now I can't find them.
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Your comuter downloads the designs into whatever folder you direct it to. If you did not give the designs a specific file to download into, check your desktop folder and your "my documents" folders.When you download from the Internet, you need to first set up a folder to download all your designs to. You can name your folder anything your wish, such as "My Embroidery," etc. so you will always have them all in one folder. Once you have them in one particular folder, then you will be able to go to "Read," locate the drive and folder where you placed your designs, and bring them into your Smart Box software. |
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I downloaded designs from the Internet, but when I go to the folder I put them in and click "browse," my designs do not come up in the browse windows.
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If your designs are from the Internet, they may be .PES files that are "zipped". Zip files will not show in your browse window. You will need to do the following:
- On your Smart Box software screen, click on Options
- At the bottom of the screen under "File Open Preference," click on "Standard Windows" instead of "browse by icon." Click OK to close your Options window.
- Now when you click on "Read" to bring in your designs, it will bring up the standard Microsoft window. Locate your drive and folder where your designs are. Your "zip" files should be listed. Again, you will not be able to "browse", but you can bring your designs into the Smart Box by clicking on the design, then click on "open." This may take you to a screen that says "Zip Directory." Just click once on the title of the file that is listed, then click "OK" (Some Internet design files have more than one file name listed under "File Directory." You will need to choose the format and design you want.)
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I have larger hoops for my embroidery machines instead of just the 4"x4". But my design still does not fit.
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Your hoop size does not have anything to do with the size of your sewing field. The larger hoops are only so you can "manipulate" your design on your fabric better. |
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How do I check the size of my design before writing it to the blank card?
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You can open Color Edit, which comes with your SmartBox and make sure your design fits within the grid set for your sewing field. These instructions begin on page 35 of your instruction manual. |
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I can't find "Color Edit"
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On your computer, go to START, PROGRAMS, SMART BOX. When you highlight Smart Box, another menu should pop up that has Color Edit. Left click on Color Edit to open it. If you want Color Edit on your desk top (so you can just double click on it to open it), when the menu comes up, instead of clicking on Color Edit, go to the words "send to" on the list. Highlight "send to" and it should bring up another menu with "Desktop (create shortcut)" on the list. LEFT CLICK on the Desktop create shortcut. Once you left click, (you may not actually SEE anything happen, until you exit), exit all the menus. (You can also exit by just clicking anywhere on a blank space on your desktop screen). Once those menus are closed, you should see two little butterflies on your desktop with the words "Color Edit" beneath them. This is your Color Edit program. |
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I have a "palette" type box for my computer / embroidery machine. Will the Simplciity rewritable blank cards work in my palette reader/writer box?
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The Simplicity rewritable cards will only work in the SmartBox, AmazingDesigns Amazing Box, the Ultimate Box or the Mini Box. |
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Is there an update for version 3.0 SmartBox?
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Yes. The update to version 3.6 can be found on our website, along with the download for the new instruction manual. Go to our UPDATES tab. |
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I have a "palette" type box for my computer / embroidery machine. Will the Simplciity rewritable blank cards work in my palette reader/writer box?
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The Simplicity rewritable cards will only work in the SmartBox, AmazingDesigns Amazing Box, the Ultimate Box or the Mini Box. |
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